The news that Yuri and Rita were getting married soon spread throughout Magnolia via the wizards of Fairy Tail.
Weston didn't know if this approach would "drive away" Zeref, but in the following days, there were no more reports of suspicious individuals appearing in town.
In the blink of an eye, the day of the wedding arrived.
The ceremony was held at the town's Kardia Cathedral. Witnessed by their guild companions, Yuri and Rita officially became the first married couple within Fairy Tail.
The group held a massive celebration at the guild that lasted for three days and three nights. It wasn't until everyone was unable to drink another drop or move another muscle that they all headed home.
A few days later.
Yuri and Rita came to the guild together to discuss their next plans.
"Rita and I have decided to go on a honeymoon trip!"
"Weston, you've seen a lot and know many places. Do you have any good recommendations??"
"What?! You're going on a honeymoon?!"
Weston feigned shock, then let out a sigh: "Sigh, I knew this day would come, but I didn't expect it to come so soon."
"Huh?? What are you so depressed about?"
Ignoring Yuri's retort, Weston continued his performance: "As I thought, the two of you are no longer satisfied with just spreading 'dog food' (public displays of affection) in the guild and town. Do you plan to announce your sweetness to the entire world?! Take my advice—exercise a little restraint..."
Yuri froze for a moment, then stopped paying attention to Weston's acting and turned to look at Mavis.
"Mavis, you have a wealth of experience. Do you have any recommendations?"
Mavis thought for a few seconds: "Well... how about going to Tenrou Island?"
"Tenrou Island?"
Yuri's eyes flickered as he recalled what he had seen and heard on Tenrou Island. He shook his head: "No way! There's nothing fun to do there!"
Zera suggested: "How about going to the Royal Capital, Crocus? The scenery is beautiful, there's plenty to eat and do, and it's prosperous and lively!"
Crocus was known as the "City of Blooming Flowers." Since it was currently early spring, the season when ten thousand flowers competed in beauty, the scenery would be even more stunning.
Although they had visited Crocus once before, that was right after the kingdom's civil war ended when the whole country was waiting to be rebuilt. Furthermore, it had been autumn, so they hadn't been in the mood or had the chance to appreciate the scenery of the City of Blooming Flowers.
This time they could make up for that past regret.
"Oh!! That's a great idea!"
Yuri gave a shout of pleasant surprise, then turned to look at Precht and Warrod.
"I can't give you any advice. As you know, I have no interest in that sort of thing."
Precht was a "shut-in" who only liked researching magic; this was known by everyone in the guild. Yuri hadn't expected to get any opinions from him in the first place.
"Ah, I don't know many places either. But if you go to Crocus, remember to bring me back some flower seeds."
They haven't even left yet, and he's already eyeing the souvenirs...
Truly a good friend!
"If you ask me, a honeymoon trip shouldn't just be limited to one place!"
Weston waved his hand grandly, interrupting everyone's conversation.
"You could go to Tenrou Island first to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea for a month, and then go to Crocus for a month of eating, drinking, and playing."
"If you want to see snow, you can go to the 'Sacred Mountain' Zonia; if you want to see giants, you can go to the 'Sun Village'; if you want to see dragons, you can even go to the Northern Continent, Guiltina..."
Yuri and Rita were able to listen quietly to the first few suggestions, but the further he went, the more ridiculous they felt it became.
Winter had only just passed; where would the interest in seeing snow come from?
Giants?
What was so good about looking at a bunch of big guys?
Dragons?
There are actually dragons on the Northern Continent?
Even if there were, that place was simply too far and too dangerous!
Who goes to see those things for a honeymoon?
The couple looked at each other, wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads in sync, and said in unison: "I think vacationing within the borders of Fiore is just fine..."
After discussing it, the two eventually followed Zera's suggestion to go to Crocus.
However, they wouldn't go there directly and stay for ten days or half a month. Instead, they would head west, then north, east, and finally south—traveling in a circle around the Kingdom of Fiore. Besides Crocus, they would stop at several famous cities along the way to visit.
This decision quickly received everyone's support.
After the discussion ended, Yuri secretly pulled Weston, Precht, and Warrod aside for a second small meeting.
The theme of the meeting was simple.
Borrowing money!
"As you guys know, traveling in a circle around the Kingdom of Fiore won't be cheap!"
"While I have some savings, one always needs to carry more money when out and about, just in case."
"So brothers, I'm really counting on you this time!"
Yuri pressed his hands together, his expression serious, earnest, and sincere as he bowed at 75 degrees to ask his three brothers for help.
"That's no problem at all!"
Warrod was the first to speak.
He would naturally do his utmost to help his brother's honeymoon trip.
After speaking, Warrod began to search his person with his large hands. Soon, he produced a coin purse that emitted a faint scent of flowers.
"Ohhh! Warrod, I knew you were my brother!"
Yuri's eyes lit up, and he smiled so wide his mouth wouldn't close as he hurriedly took the coin purse.
Opening it, he saw three copper coins lying quietly inside.
Almost instantly, the smile on his face froze.
Then, as if refusing to believe it, Yuri turned the purse upside down and shook it, then flipped it over and snapped it. In the end, only two crumbs of flower seeds fell out.
After confirming there were no more coins, Yuri jerked his head up, looking at Warrod with a mix of confusion, disappointment, and resentment.
Though he didn't speak, his eyes seemed to say: "That's it? Are you playing me, brother?"
This wonderful expression made Weston burst out laughing on the spot.
"Is it that funny?"
Yuri looked up resentfully, two puffs of white steam huffing indignantly from his nostrils.
Warrod also looked embarrassed, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead and apologizing: "Uh... I almost forgot, all my money has been invested in environmental protection industries. Sorry! But, you should take these three copper coins as a token of my heart!"
What are three copper coins enough for?
Is it even 1000J when exchanged?
"Forget it, forget it, you'd better keep them yourself. I see you've lost a lot of weight lately..."
Yuri shook his head, put the copper coins back in the purse, and returned it to Warrod.
Just then...
"Take it!"
"This is all I have left."
A heavy coin purse landed in Yuri's hand.
It was Precht's coin purse.
Yuri weighed it to feel the heaviness, and the corners of his mouth turned up once more.
He couldn't wait to open the purse. In an instant, a golden light hit his face, making the oil on his skin reflect the shine.
"Ohhh!"
"So much money!!"
"As expected, Precht is the one I can rely on!"